El Niño likely to return this year - WMO
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 3) — The probability of El Niño returning this year is increasing, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported Wednesday, adding that the occurrence would likely fuel higher global temperatures.
“The world should prepare for the development of El Niño. It might bring respite from the drought in the Horn of Africa and other La Niña-related impacts but could also trigger more extreme weather and climate events. This highlights the need for the UN Early Warnings for All initiative to keep people safe,” WMO Secretary General Petteri Taalas said.
Based on its forecast, the WMO said there is a 60% chance that the weather pattern will transition to El Niño during May to July this year. The probability is expected to increase to about 70% in June to August and 80% between July and September.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA earlier warned the public that El Niño may begin in the second half of the year.
READ: PAGASA raises El Niño Alert
Meanwhile, the WMO said there is still no indication regarding the strength and duration of El Niño in the coming months.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, around 46 provinces may experience the impact of El Niño in the coming months.
El Niño is the abnormal warming of sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
